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How to Cite Sources: Home

How To Get More Help with Citations

Formatting & Citations

The Librarians and writing tutors can help you format your paper and citations in MLA, APA, or Chicago Style format.

Use our Formatting & Citations Checklist to see what you have covered and what you need help with. 

Why Do We Cite?

Avoid Plagiarism

It is important that you cite your sources to avoid plagiarism, which is the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. 

Give Credit

Giving credit to the original source rewards other scholars for the hard work and creativity they contribute to advancements in their fields.

Help Readers Find Your Sources

Citations are like a roadmap to your sources. Sometimes seeing a quote in its original context helps readers understand it better. Citations can also guide your readers to more information about your topic.

Give Credibility to Your Work

The more you know about your topic, the more credible your arguments become. By citing your sources, you prove that you have researched existing information and multiple viewpoints. In turn, readers will see that your theories and ideas are well-supported.

What Needs To Be Cited?

Direct Quotes

Paraphrases

Specific Words/Terms/Theories

Facts: Historical, Statistical, Scientific

Graphs, Drawings, Data

Articles, Studies, or Books (that you reference in your writing)

Someone Else's Thoughts or Ideas

Guides that Cover Multiple Styles

Writing Guides/Annotated Bibliography

Citation Creators

These tools let you chose your citation style and source type, then you enter the information and they create a formatted citation for you.

NOTE: These can be very handy, but be sure to check your results for errors! Automation is not perfect!

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